Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

Answer the following questions to see how your answers may impact your risk of infection. Click the "Print" button at the bottom of the page and discuss the report with your doctor.

Note to users of this Guide. Having cancer and understanding treatment options is a difficult and confusing time for patients and their loved ones. This guide is intended to help facilitate patient/caregiver communication with the patient's treatment team. It is not intended, nor should it be treated, as medical advice. Only an appropriately licensed healthcare provider may provide medical/clinical advice. Always talk to your healthcare team as your experience with cancer is unique and specific to you.

Infection Risk Questions

1. What kind of cancer do you have?

2. Are you currently receiving strong chemotherapy (chemo)?

Yes No

3. Have you received strong chemo or radiation therapy in the past?

Yes No

a) Have you ever had a low number of white blood cells and fever after receiving strong chemo?

Yes No

4. Has your cancer spread?

Yes No

5. Are you 65 or older?

Yes No

6. Have you recently had surgery or had a port inserted?

Yes No

7. Do you have any of the following?

— Liver problems

— Kidney problems

— Infection

— Open wounds

Yes No

Answer all of the questions and then click the button above to view your summary results.

Summary

Talk to your doctor about ways to help reduce your infection risk.

Infection Factors

Take Action Against Infection

Discussion Guide

Click the button above toprint your summary tobring to your doctor.

Learn About Reducing the Risk of Infection During Strong ChemoLEARN MORE

Infection Factors

Take Action Against Infection

3a) Have you ever had a low number of white blood cells and fever after receiving strong chemo?

Page 1 of 5

Name:

Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

Infection Risk Questions?

4. Has your cancer spread?

5. Are you 65 or older?

6. Have you recently had surgery or had a port inserted?

7. Do you have any of the following?

— Liver problems

— Infection

— Kidney problems

— Open wounds

Page 2 of 5

Name:

Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

What increases the risks of infection?

Strong chemotherapy (chemo) may lower the number of white blood cells.

The fewer white blood cells you have and the longer your white blood cell count is low after a cycle of
strong chemo, the more risk you have for developing a potentially serious infection.

In addition, there are several other factors that may increase the risk of infection because of a low number of white blood cells.

— You are 65 or older.

— You previously developed a low white blood cell count while being treated with strong chemo.

— You already have a low white blood cell count while being treated with strong chemo.

— Your cancer has spread to your bone marrow.

— You've had strong chemotherapy or radiation before.

— You have medical conditions like diabetes or liver or heart diseases.

Questions to ask my doctor

1. Does my strong chemo put me at risk for a low number of white blood cells?

2. What will you look at to determine whether I have low number of white blood cells caused by strong chemo?

3. What are my white blood cell levels?

4. How is a low number of white blood cells caused by strong chemo treated?

5. Could a low number of white blood cells be caused by something besides strong chemo?

Page 3 of 5

Name:

Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

About strong chemotherapy and infection

General Explanation

Strong chemotherapy (chemo):

— Kills cancer cells

— May also kill white blood cells (which fight infections)

White blood cells are your body's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. A lower number of white blood cells (neutropenia) increases the risks of infection.

An infection can cause serious problems, such as:

— Hospitalization

— Having to take intravenous antibiotics

How can strong chemo affect my white blood cells?

One of the most serious potential side effects of many types of strong chemo is a low neutrophil (NU-tro-fil: a type
of white blood cell that is important in fighting infections) count—a condition known as neutropenia
(nu-tro-PEEN-ee-ah). Strong chemo that causes this side effect is called myelosuppressive (my-eh-low-suh-PRESS-iv).

A low white blood cell count can put you at risk for infection

If you do get an infection, you may need to be hospitalized for treatment. Your doctor will determine how best to manage your treatment if this happens.

Page 4 of 5

Name:

Strong Chemotherapy and Infection Discussion Guide

What can I do to help prevent infection?

Infection cannot be completely prevented. However, there are many things you can do to decrease the risk of infection.

– Always wash your hands with soap and plenty of water to avoid transmission of infection through things that you touch

– Avoid people with colds or flu

– Avoid large crowds to avoid coming into contact with sick people

– Bathe daily and gently dry your skin

– Use lotion to help prevent cracks in your skin

– Prevent cuts or scrapes, which can provide places for infection to enter your body

• Use an electric razor instead of a blade to prevent cuts

• Handle sharp objects with caution

– If you get a cut or scrape, clean it with soap and water and then cover it with a bandage until it heals

– Cook food thoroughly to kill infection-causing bacteria that may be in raw food

– Ask your doctor if there are additional things that you should do to prevent infection

When should I call my doctor if I'm concerned about an infection?

Ask your doctor/treatment team about the kinds of signs or symptoms that should cause you to call their office. For example, signs and symptoms of an infection may include any of the following:

– Body temperature (taken by mouth) that is 100.5°F or higher

– Chills

– Cough

– Sore throat

– Shortness of breath

– Nasal congestion

– Sinus pain

– Headache

– Stiff or sore neck

– Pain or burning while urinating

– Skin rash

– Swelling or redness anywhere, including the genital and rectal areas. If you have a catheter then watch the area around it.

Make sure that you know how to reach your doctor or nurse after hours, and on nights and weekends.

Note to users of this Guide. Having cancer and understanding treatment options is a difficult and confusing time for patients and their loved ones. This guide is intended to help facilitate patient/caregiver communication with the patient's treatment team. It is not intended, nor should it be treated, as medical advice. Only an appropriately licensed healthcare provider may provide medical/clinical advice. Always talk to your healthcare team as your experience with cancer is unique and specific to you.